ABOUT New Songs Fest

Songwriters are at the heart of our arts community and this is where we begin to grow the next season of songwriters. New Songs is a four-day songwriting festival featuring three days of workshops, three evening concerts, multiple breakout and coaching sessions, studio space, a panel discussion with professional songwriters and a professional production on stage in front of a public audience.

PREVIEW Video

New Songs Fest 2023 was hosted by Rita Hosking, with workshops by Keith Greeninger, Laurie Lewis, Ruthie Foster, Royal Wood, and more!

Workshop attendees get:

  • VIP Songwriters Reception
  • One ticket to a concert each night of the festival
  • Three days of workshops with lunch provided by The Center
  • Three days of studio use
  • Coaching/Feedback Sessions
  • Songwriters Panel discussion
  • A performance on a professionally produced stage*

*Participants are encouraged but not required to perform a piece of work at the festival.

Only 3 Early Bird Spots are left!

FULL SCHEDULE

Thursday 4/27/23
What
Location
4pm – 5:30pm
Participant Check In
Lobby
5:30pm – 7pm
Opening Reception
Opening Reception
8pm – 9:30pm
Keith Greeninger & Laurie Lewis Concert
Main Stage
Friday 4/28/23
What
What
10am – 11am
Workshop with Keith Greeninger
Studio 1
11am – 12pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
12pm – 1pm
Lunch
Lobby
1pm – 2pm
Workshop with Rita Hosking
Studio 1
2pm – 3pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
3pm – 4pm
Workshop with Laurie Lewis
Studio 1
4pm – 6pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
8pm – 9:30pm
Iris Dement Concert
Main Stage
Saturday 4/29/23
What
Location
10am – 11am
Workshop with Rita Hosking
Main Stage
11am – 12pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
12pm – 1pm
Lunch
Lobby
1pm – 2pm
Workshop with Laurie Lewis
Studio 1
2pm – 3pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
3pm – 4pm
Workshop with Royal Wood
OCS
4pm – 6pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
6pm – 7pm
Q&A with Ruthie Foster
Main Stage
8pm – 9:30pm
Ruthie Foster Concert
Main Stage
Sunday 4/30/23
What
Location
10am – 12pm
Coaching Sessions
Main Stage, OCS, Studios
12pm – 1pm
Lunch
Lobby
1pm – 2:30pm
Panel Discussion
Main Stage
2:30pm – 5pm
Breakout/Studio Time
Studios, OCS
5:30pm – 8:30pm
New Songs Stage Time
Main Stage, OCS

2023 WORKSHOP LEADS, PANELISTS & COACHES

Rita Hosking

Host & Workshop Instructor

Royal Wood

Workshop Instructor

Laurie Lewis

Workshop Instructor

Ruthie Foster

Workshop Instructor

Keith Greeninger

Workshop Instructor

Keith Greeninger • Workshop Instructor

WORKSHOP: Breath, Bone and Spirit

Inviting the voice and the body into your songwriting process to help weave lyrical, emotional and vocal dynamics that can guide a song or idea in new directions. Following the instincts in our breath, bones and spirit to open up and tap into the good stuff.

Rita Hosking • Host & Workshop Instructor

WORKSHOP 1: The 5 Minute Song Start

How do we start a song? The 5 Minute Song Start will help you break down barriers and get your songwriting spirits moving…sometimes, you just have to make yourself. Bring your instrument, a notepad, some kind of voice recorder (optional), and a little mercy.


 

WORKSHOP 2: Lyric Tricks

Let’s talk simple approaches for coming up with well built lyrics. For instance, in the title of this class — notice the sound “ric” in the two, adjacent words? That little bit of repetition makes it more memorable. We’ll do good stuff to strengthen and expand your writing.

Laurie Lewis • Workshop Instructor

WORKSHOP 1: Mining Your and Your Neighbor’s Mind

My most commonly-used start for a song is a well-used and tattered folder wherein I toss scraps of paper with ideas, phrases, song starts, and orphaned verses. Got a line that you can’t do anything with? Pass it to the person on your left.


 

WORKSHOP 2: Taking Inspiration from Nature

The act of inspiration is, literally, to draw breath. Where does that oxygen come from? Our friends the trees, of course!

Royal Wood • Workshop Instructor

WORKSHOP: Breaking Old Habits

Whether it’s the chords, the melody or the lyrics. It’s important to break old habits and think outside your normal instincts.

PANELISTS

  • Jim Bruno

  • Peter Wilson

  • Hannah Jane Kile

  • Velvy Appleton

  • Paul Kamm

  • Royal Wood

COACHES

  • Jim Bruno
  • Paul Kamm
  • Hannah Jane Kile
  • Velvy Appleton
  • Peter Wilson
  • Mark Vieaux
  • Rita Hosking
  • Jamal Walker
  • Juliet Gobert
  • Jorell Bahena

Don't want to attend workshops? Join us for the evening concerts!

Keith Greeninger & Laurie Lewis

Performing together on Thursday, April 27th
public concerts

Iris Dement

Performing Friday, April 28th
public concerts

Ruthie Foster

Performing Saturday, April 29th
public concerts

New Songs Stage Time with Rita Hosking

Sunday, April 30th • this show will feature workshop attendees who wish to share their newly composed material, including a new song by instructor Rita Hosking.
public concerts

Festival Cancellation / Refund Policy

Due to limited attendance and availability, we cannot guarantee refunds for attendee cancellation requests.  Under no circumstances will we be responsible for refunds for airline, hotel, or car reservations. We reserve the right to change or cancel any speaker, instructor, performer or session without notice.